May 23, 2013

NBA Rumors: Cavs want to re-sign Ellington, may decline Miles and Speights

May 2, 2013 by 21 Comments

With Mike Brown looking to take hold of the Cleveland Cavaliers heading into 2013-14, it appears that Wayne Ellington appears to be one of the only reserves in the plans going forward.

In a recent report from Bob Finnan of The News-Herald, the Cavaliers appear geared to present Ellington with a qualifying offer that will allow the team to match any offers he gets in the restricted market. Finnan added that the team is not 100 percent certain on bringing back veteran swingman CJ Miles ,and is set to part ways with forward/center Marreese Speights.

“The Cavs would like to sign Ellington,” writes Finnain. ”That means presenting him a qualifying offer of $3 million. It’s not as easy with Speights. It appears as if they hope he opts out of his deal. He might not fit their culture… The Cavs [also] own a team option on swingman C.J. Miles’ $2 million contract for next season. It’s not cut-and-dry that they pick it up, like once thought.”

Miles is under contract for an affordable $2 million in 2013-14, and provided quality depth off of the bench last season, averaging 11.2 points per game. The 25-year-old Speights is a bit of a different story as he will likely decline his player option and test the open market where he will garner more money that the team is willing to spend at this stage of their rebuilding process. Following the trade to Cleveland, Speights averaged 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, largely as a reserve.

If the Cavaliers do decline Miles’ option, and Speights opts out of his, the team will have less than $26 million in committed salaries heading into the draft.

[Related: The Diff: Regression to the mean and the Cavaliers]

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NBA News: Greg Oden unlikely to sign until summer

March 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment

It’s been out there for at least a week, but we haven’t explicitly stated it yet on WFNY: Greg Oden, former No. 1 pick and possible free agent to a number of NBA teams, is unlikely to sign until the summer.

Initially, the report might have been first listed in Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears’ power rankings on Feb. 19. It had seemed earlier last month that Oden was leaning toward the Cavaliers, but now such a decision is likely to be delayed until at least early July.

Mark Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer also answered a question about Oden in her Sunday mailbag today:

“Hey, Mary: If the Cavs end up signing Greg Oden, I know they need to open a spot on the roster. I had been assuming that they would waive Kevin Jones, but recently I have been hearing talk about the team buying out Omri Casspi’s contract. How do you think they would do it? – Chris Stevens, Concord

Hey, Chris: Oden’s agent has told reporters that his client won’t sign until the summer, and the Cavs could have multiple openings, since they have several players with expiring contracts, including Casspi, Daniel Gibson and Luke Walton. Mo Speights could opt out as well. Should they try to sign Oden before that, waiving Jones would seem to be the most likely option.”

Oden’s last NBA game occurred on Dec. 5, 2009. He only played 82 games in his Portland career. But, he only turned 25 in January and reports from his agent, Mike Conley Sr., appear to say that he is at 100 percent. So it would seem that the Cavaliers could be one of many suitors for his services this upcoming summer.

[Related: Pro and Cons of Greg Oden]

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LeBron James’ agent and manager see “benefits” of returning to Cleveland

January 31, 2013 by 72 Comments

As Rudy Gay was dealt to the Toronto Raptors late Wednesday evening, it appears that this move — despite the trade last week which freed up additional funds — is the first domino in a line created by the new NBA collective bargaining agreement. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports writes that the biggest domino of them all, LeBron James, sees the writing on the talent-sharing wall and that this move will only serve to open the eyelids that are set on 2014.

“James’ agent and childhood friend, Rich Paul, born and raised and still living in Cleveland, has been privately telling people for two years of his intrigue with bringing the prodigal son back as the conquering hero in Cleveland,” writes Wojnarowski. ”James will ultimately make the call to return – just like he made it to leave – rest assured that the most important voices in his ear will be partial to Cleveland again.”

Said voices are Paul and his business manager Maverick Carter. Paul, as noted many times over, continues to call Cleveland home and has a client with the Cavaliers in second-year power forward Tristan Thompson. In the event James would be “delivered” to Cleveland, it could bode well financially for the upstart forward. Quoted within the Wojnarowski is what is deemed a high-level associate in James’ camp who states that they “see the benefits of getting the credit for bringing LeBron home again.”

Potentially the most interesting portion of the report was the buried line that other general managers in the NBA were “incredulous” following the trade in which Cleveland received a first-round draft pick along with talented players in Marreese Speights and Wayne Ellington for the price of one Jon Leuer. Per Wojnarowski, the presence of Kyrie Irving alone is not enough — general manager Chris Grant needs to show that he can surround James better than his predecessor. The fact that the era of the “super teams” appears to be coming to an end should only serve to help.

[Related: Does Kyrie Irving have a second act up his sleeve?]

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NBA Free Agency: Cavs And Gee Close To Agreement

August 18, 2012 by 6 Comments

According to FOX 8 Cleveland’s John Telich, the Cavaliers may be close to a three-year agreement with forward Alonzo Gee.

Gee and the Cavaliers have been in a long stalemate after the wine and gold offered him the $2.7 million qualifying offer to the restricted free agent from Alabama earlier in the summer. The Cavaliers chose not to wait around and instead signed free agent forward C.J. Miles to a 2-year, $4 million deal. Gee, the same age and size as Miles, averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and shot 41% from the field in 63 games (31 starts).

It’s likely that we will see Miles and Gee battle it out for the starting small forward spot, with the loser of that competition backing the other up along with logging some minutes backing up Dion Waiters at the two guard spot.

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NBA Free Agency: Cavaliers Sign Michael Eric

August 10, 2012 by 4 Comments

Per press realease, the Cleveland Cavaliers have signed center Micheal Eric to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today.

Eric, 24, played in 101 games (68 starts) at Temple, averaging 6.0 points on .503 shooting, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 16.9 minutes per game. As a senior in 2011-12, he played in 19 games (15 starts) and averaged 9.0 points on .521 shooting while leading the team in rebounds (8.8) and blocks (2.1) in 25.1 minutes per game. He missed 13 games during the season due to a fractured right patella.

The 6-foot-11, 240-pound native of Nigeria played in five games with the Cavaliers in the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and averaged 4.0 points on .667 shooting and 3.8 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game.

[Related: Video: Kyrie Irving Sings Duet from Grease]

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NBA Free Agency: Cavaliers Officially Sign CJ Miles

August 8, 2012 by 9 Comments

The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially signed guard/forward C.J. Miles to a contract. Per league and team policy, terms of the contract were not announced, but it is speculated that said contract is a two-year deal that will fit well into the team’s ongoing desire of financial flexibility.

“C.J. brings solid NBA experience to the team, yet is still just entering his prime at 25,” said General Manager Chris Grant. “His ability to play multiple positions adds depth and flexibility to our roster.”

Miles, 25, averaged 9.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.5 minutes per game in 56 games (14 starts) for the Utah Jazz last season. He scored a season-high 27 points on 10-16 (.625) shooting in 27 minutes off the bench against Houston on Feb. 29th and has a career high of 40 points, which he scored on Mar. 16th, 2011 against Minnesota. 

The 6-foot-6, 222-pound Miles was drafted out of Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas by the Jazz with the fourth pick of the second round (34th overall pick) of the 2005 NBA Draft and has played all seven seasons of his NBA career with Utah. He has career averages of 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes in 389 games (159 starts).

[Related: Random Cavaliers Off-Season Thoughts]

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NBA Free Agency: Cavaliers to Land CJ Miles

August 3, 2012 by 33 Comments

Free agent swingman CJ Miles is reportedly set to suit up for the Wine and Gold for the 2012-13 season.

Though the Los Angeles Lakers were said to be leading the pack with regard to obtaining Miles’ services, The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Miles has in fact agreed to terms with the Cavaliers. The deal, which currently has no compensation tied to it, is said to be for two years.

Miles, 25, drew interest from several teams during free agency, including the Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee  Bucks and Houston Rockets. His growing bond with Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and the opportunity Cleveland presented him reportedly played very large roles in his decision to sign.

Miles, a 6-foot-6-inch wing who averaged 9.1 points off the Jazz’s bench in 2011-12, made a two-day visit to Cleveland back in June. Per the Tribune’s Brian T. Smith, despite touring larger and more-successful markets, Cleveland was the team that Miles “always wanted to sign with.”

[ Related: Random Cavaliers Off-Season Thoughts]

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Plain Dealer Report: Gee Wants to be in Cleveland

July 26, 2012 by 14 Comments

According to a tweet sent by either Mary Schmitt Boyer or Jodie Valade (they share access to @PDcavsinsider), restricted free agent Alonzo Gee would prefer to stay a member of the Cavaliers.

As best we can tell, no other club has made an offer to Gee. It was reported that Gee was upset that the Cavaliers extended only the qualifying offer sheet to Gee, which they had to do in order to make him a restricted free agent. The Cavaliers were expected to match whatever deal Gee could get from another club. Before free agency began the Phoenix Suns were rumored to be players for the swing-man.

What nobody saw coming was the lack of interest on the rest of the league in Gee, who averaged 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Cavaliers last season.

If Gee really wanted to be a Cavalier, all he would have to do is sign Cleveland’s offer sheet. That would give him a contract for this season and make him an unrestricted free agent next year. Best guess? He is trying to coax a multi-year deal from the Cavaliers.

[Related: Gee may opt for unrestricted free agency]

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NBA Free Agency: Cavs Reportedly Interested in CJ Miles

July 25, 2012 by 18 Comments

Having passed on the small forward position during the most recent NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly scheduled a multiple-day visit with free agent small forward CJ Miles.

Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio reports that the Cavs are said to be far apart in negotiations with free agent Alonzo Gee, meaning that Miles may signify that the team is considering other options at the position. Gee, as reported earlier this week, may opt to sign his $2.7 million qualifying offer, having received virtually no interest from other teams following his best season in the NBA. Should Gee, recently dubbed a “priority” by the Cavaliers, sign said offer, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent again at the end of the 2012-13 season, leaving the team with even less depth than they have at present day.

Miles is a 6-foot-6-inch wing who averaged 9.1 points off the Utah  Jazz’s bench last year, though he did average 12.8 points in 2010-11 in a considerably larger role.

[Related: NBA Trade Rumors And The Dan Gilbert Narrative]

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NBA News: Cavaliers Gee may opt for Unrestricted Free Agency

July 24, 2012 by 24 Comments

Could Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Alonzo Gee be an unrestricted free agent in 2013?

With the Las Vegas summer league over and teams still scooping up free agents, Gee, dubbed a priority just one month earlier, remains unsigned. The Cavaliers extended a $2.7 million offer sheet to Gee, but the NBDL pick-up-turned-starter has yet to receive an offer from any of the other 29 NBA franchises.

The Cavaliers presently have the leverage in the situation as teams continue to spend what little salary cap money they have available, allowing Chris Grant and company to offer Gee a multi-year deal at a lower per-year salary than maybe originally estimated, but if Gee forgoes this option and signs the qualifying offer, he could be an unrestricted free agent come next summer. Per The News-Herald’s Bob Finnan, Gee’s agent Andre Buck has not returned any messages on the matter. Earlier this month, it was reported that Gee was a bit unhappy with the lack of discussion from the Cavaliers.

In his first season as a primary rotation player, Gee averaged 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, starting in 31 of the team’s 66 contests.

 [Related: NBA Trade Rumors And The Dan Gilbert Narrative]

(Source: Bob Finan)

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Report: Lakers’ Bynum has had no Discussions with Cavs

July 19, 2012 by 25 Comments

The agent for Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum has said that his player has had zero conversations with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the team’s general manager Chris Grant, referring to the rumored deal which would send Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard to Los Angeles. Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal states that Bynum’s agent, David Lee, confirms that his client has also given no indication of a long-term contract with the Cavaliers.

A Yahoo! Sports report recently surfaced which listed the Cavaliers as a preferred long-term destination for Andrew Bynum with the center entering free agency in 2013. Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio added to this news stating that Bynum not only would be open to a long-term deal with the Cavaliers, but has a desire to play for head coach Byron Scott and alongside reigning Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving. ESPN’s Ric Bucher recently reported that the three-team deal would involve Cavaliers’ center Anderson Varejao and multiple draft picks leaving Cleveland as the third team. HOOPSWORLD’s Alex Kennedy adds that the entire deal hinges on the Magic who appear prepared to squeeze every possible ounce of compensation out of the Lakers and, now, the Cavaliers.

Lloyd, adding commentary, stated that his feelings were that he did not have the impression of the Lakers center eyeing up Cleveland as a long-term employer. If a deal were in fact close, the Cavaliers — led by Grant and David Griffin — would be allowed to contact Lee to work out any ancillary items. To this point, the two parties have reportedly not talked.

[Related: Summer League Thoughts: On Dion Waiters, His Struggles, and More]

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NBA Rumor: Cavs Among Teams That Have Interviewed Bill Walker

July 15, 2012 by 4 Comments

Forward Bill Walker is the latest correspondent for HoopsHype, and he shares his experience in the first of his free agent blog posts:

This is Bill Walker, formerly of the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. I’m a free agent now and will blog about my experiences this summer here at HoopsHype. Hope you find it interesting.

Recently I met with people from the Memphis Grizzlies in Las Vegas and previously with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks. It was not a personal type of interview, just business. They want to know how you are going react to certain things and see what your responses are. I think if you go in there with that type of attitude, willing to accept criticism, you’ll be fine.

Walker has averaged 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game over his 157-game NBA career during the past four seasons. The 24-year-old Kansas State product is a solid scorer off the bunch who isn’t afraid to put up a lot of shots. Given the right environment, he could blossom as a premier bench scorer for a potential playoff team, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Heck, I know I’d have a lot of fun seeing him as a scoring option in his precious few moments alongside Kyrie Irving on the court. That’d be plenty of fun. But given his current suitors, I don’t currently think he’ll sign with the Cavs. It seems he’s interested in returning to the New York Knicks, and that’s where I think he’ll land up eventually.

[Related: NBA Trade Rumor: Cavs Discussing Trade to Land Andrew Bynum in Magic-Lakers Deal]

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NBA Free Agency Rumor: Cavs Reportedly Interested in Luis Scola

July 12, 2012 by 32 Comments

No one exactly knows what the Houston Rockets are up to these days with their constant roster moves. Regardless, with today’s news of their upcoming amnesty move on F Luis Scola, the Cleveland Cavaliers are already linked to have some interest.

ProBasketballDraft cited a source on Twitter that both the Cavs and Dallas Mavericks have some early interest in the 32-year-old Argentine forward. Scola was slotted to make $9.4 million this coming season, as a part of the three years and $30.7 million left on his contract.

With the Cavs no longer linked to Kris Humphries in the Dwight Howard mega-trade, this is a connection that definitely makes some sense. Scola has averaged 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in his five-year NBA career, building a reputation as a dependable low-post scoring presence and rebounder. He’s not likely ever going to make an All-Star team, but he’s a solid veteran that could fit in nicely with the Cleveland frontcourt.

Per the amnesty waiver process, teams must may sealed bids to the Rockets for his services. The highest bid will pay that portion of Scola’s salary for this coming season. The official announcement on Scola’s release is expected in the coming days.

[Related: Report: Cavs discussing sign and trade of Antawn Jamison]

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NBA Free Agency: Cavs in Running for Derek Fisher

July 6, 2012 by 33 Comments

Looking to address their reserve point guard position, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the handful of teams in the running as potential suitors for Derek Fisher.

Howard Beck of the New York Times reports that, with this week’s point guard carousel resulting in Jason Kidd signing with the New York Knicks, the team’s interest in Fisher has decreased leaving five teams in the running; the Cavaliers along with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks.

Fisher, who won five titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, joined the Thunder in February and was a key part of the rotation for for the team which would eventually fall victim to the Miami Heat in the finals. Recall that the Cavaliers were at team that was hot after Fisher in 2006 when he was ultimately traded from Golden State to the Utah Jazz. With his daughter fighting retinal cancer, Fisher — in need of a city where top-flight hospitalization was an amenity — was thought to have been considering Cleveland just one year later but opted to re-join the Lakers after being let out of his contract.

The addition of Fisher, albeit several years after the initial desire, would immediately provide the Cavaliers with a solid option behind Kyrie Irving as well as the veteran presence since vacated by the retirement of Anthony Parker and free agency of Antawn Jamison.

[Related: Who Should the Cavs Target in Free Agency?]

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NBA Free Agency: Alonzo Gee “Underwhelmed” by Cavs Qualifying Offer

July 5, 2012 by 44 Comments

On the cusp of the NBA free agency period, the Cleveland Cavaliers extended an olive branch to small forward Alonzo Gee, ensuring that the team would have the ability to match any offer he received in order to keep the athletic swingman with the team.

Fox 8′s John Telich reported on Tuesday evening that Gee is “underwhelmed” by the team’s offer — one that he has yet to sign — and is considering not participating in the team’s Summer League program which is set to tip of in Las Vegas later this month.

Gee is one of three Cavaliers to receive a qualifying offer. Power forward Luke Harangody signed his earlier this week while center Semih Erden opted to sign a two-year contract with Turkey’s Anadolu Efes. Since the qualifying offer is a set amount, Gee must have expected the Cavaliers to have already offered a long-term deal prior to allowing the other 29 teams to set a market price. Naturally, this move could backfire in the event a third party offers the small forward a deal that would be too cumbersome to match.

Cavaliers’ general manager Chris Grant recently called re-signing Gee a “prioirty” of this team’s offseason, considering him one of the core members as they rebuild toward contention. Opting to draft a shooting guard and center last month, Gee would seemingly be the team’s starting small forward assuming no notable free agents are added during the duration of the offseason.

[Related: Danny Ferry Wasting No Time Shaking Up Atlanta]

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Report: Harangody to Sign His Qualifying Offer

July 4, 2012 by 6 Comments

The Cavaliers will retain the services of Luke Harangody according to several reports tonight. The Cavalier forward will sign his qualifying offer of $1.1 million.

The Cavaliers ‘lost’ Semih Erden to Turkey today, and cut Guard Manny Harris yesterday. They still have to make decisions about Daniel Gibson, Samardo Samuels and Kelenna Azubuike’s team options. Alonzo Gee will likely test the free agent market, but the Cavs will certainly match the offer sheet he signs. If the Cavs keep all of these players, they will have 13 players under contract, 14 if Kevin Jones makes the team.

[Related: Undrafted Rookie Kevin Jones Signs with Cavs]

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Report: Cavaliers’ Free Agency Plans May Rest Overseas

July 3, 2012 by 16 Comments

FSO’s Sam Amico is reporting that the Cavaliers have interest in a couple of free agents from Bosnia and Russia. From Amico-

“Two names associated with the Cavs most: Mirza Teletovic and Alexey Shved.

Teletovic is a 6-foot-9 power forward from Bosnia who spent last season playing in Spain.

Shved is a 6-5 guard from Russia who spent last season playing in his homeland.

Both are on their way to the NBA, having emerged as real options for general manager Chris Grant and the Cavs.

Actually, no less than Teletovic’s agent recently said the Cavs were among Teletovic’s two finalists — with the Nets being the other.

The spectrum is only slightly wider for Shved, who is reportedly considering the Cavs, Timberwolves and Grizzlies.”

In addition, the article talks about the possibility of Cleveland bringing in Michael Redd. Worth a read.

UPDATE: And just like that, the Cavs miss out-

 

[Related: Semih Erden heading back to Turkey]

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NBA News: Cavaliers Waive SG Manny Harris

July 2, 2012 by 15 Comments

The Cleveland Cavaliers have decided to part ways with shooting guard Manny Harris, officially announcing on Monday that he has been waived.

Harris, 22, averaged 6.7 points and 2.7 rebounds through 26 contests with the Cavaliers last season. He missed a substantial portion of the shortened season with a foot injury and apparently became the odd man out with the team selecting Dion Waiters fourth-overall in the recently held NBA Draft. The Michigan product managed to latch on to the team in 2010, at the expense of shooting guard Danny Green, but failed to improve much year-over-year in what was ultimately a position of need for the Wine and Gold.

Barring any substantial free agent acquisitions, this move almost assures that the team will pick up the team option of guard Daniel Gibson. The team has also been linked to free agent shooting guard Sonny Weems.

[Related: Who Should the Cavs Target in Free Agency?]

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Report: Cavaliers extend qualifying offer to Gee

June 29, 2012 by 6 Comments

This afternoon Chris Grant called retaining Alonzo Gee a top priority. This evening they took the first step in doing so by making a qualifying offer to Gee, which means he is a restricted free agent. He could choose to sign the qualifying offer (not likely) or see what deal he can make for himself with another club, which the Cavaliers could then match and keep the athletic wing.

Gee showed tremendous growth last season, becoming particularly valuable as a scorer off the bench.

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Cavaliers Free Agency Primer

June 29, 2012 by 25 Comments

As Chris Grant reminded us last night- free agency starts Sunday. The Cavaliers have several players with expiring deals that they need to make decisions about, as well as evaluate the roster and see who they may want to pursue. Chris Grant said the Cavaliers will be ‘active’ in free agency. Let’s be sure to temper any excitement about that statement. Resigning Anthony Parker was ‘active’ to the Cavaliers last season.

On the Roster- Player (signed through)

Kyrie Irving (2015/16)

Anderson Varejao (2013/14- team option for ’14/15)

Tristan Thompson (2015/16)

Luke Walton (2012/13)

Omri Casspi (2013/14)

Daniel Gibson (team option for this season $4.8 million)

Dion Waiters (draft pick)

Tyler Zeller (draft pick)

Kelenna Azubuike (team option for this season $.9 million) [Read more...]

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